“This will give us time to mull over public comments and change anything we need to,” said committee member Paul Hammond, who also sits on the city council.

He’d originally suggested a motion to bring to council at their next meeting, but committee member Jack Abernathy said he’d like some more time to mull over the opinions received and case law before making a final decision.

Craig Carlton, planning commission member, said the state Right To Farm Act does not play a factor in whether or not chickens should be allowed because the city does not have any commercial farms within its city limits.

Hammond countered the city can regulate the ordinance any way it sees fit, since one of the ordinance revisions states any coop that went up would be strictly for the non-commercial use of chickens in Davison.

Hens would be allowed, but no roosters, in the ordinance and setbacks from property lines have also been discussed as part of the wording. The idea sprang forth by 9-year-old Chloe Hinkley, whose father Chris sits on the planning commission, in wanting some chickens at their home.

Residents have argued on both sides, with some noting it would allow children to learn about urban farming and provide organic food for families, but others added chickens are noisy, carry some diseases and Davison was incorporated as a city.

Several other Genesee County communities, including Fenton, Burton, Clio, Flushing, Linden and Davison Township, allow for backyard chickens.

Roberto can be reached by phone at 810-429-3865,email at racosta1@mlive.com, on Facebook at Roberto Acosta Journalist or on Twitter @racostaJourno.